Immediately following a session, it is important to consider how you prepare for room sanitation. It is also imperative to have a follow-up plan for reporting on any COVID symptoms displayed by your staff, students, or clients.
Practitioner Sanitation Protocols
- Upon leaving the designated treatment area and/or the student salon, students should immediately undergo the hand-washing protocol. They should not touch or adjust their face covering. They should wash their hands thoroughly, up to the elbows, using WHO guidelines for best practices. The face shield can now be removed if they are wearing one. Repeat hand-washing protocol. The face mask should be left on.
- The students should not remove their face mask until the client has left. Once the client leaves, students can remove their disposable gown or uniform, folding it in on itself and keeping the soiled surfaces inside. Place their clothing in a lidded receptacle and wash hands before next removing their face mask carefully for additional uses if not soiled or wet.
- If your staff must handle cash or credit cards, do so using a pair of disposable gloves. Once the client leaves, staff can dispose of their gloves.
- Hand hygiene after removing PPE or clothing is particularly important to remove any pathogens that might have been transferred to bare hands during the removal process. If hands are visibly soiled, use soap and water before applying alcohol-based hand sanitizer. For the removal of masks, the CDC says you must wash your hands both before and after removal. (See more PPE guidelines in Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Hair Professionals)
- Apply a fresh pair of gloves and begin station sanitation.
Post-Session Client Interaction
- Have a post-session check-in with a client 2–3 days later; ask about treatment and check in on their health. Create a protocol that a client will call you if they become ill, and you will call a client if either the students or instructors start showing any apparent COVID-19 symptoms.